Sydney was rocked by one of its deadliest terror attacks in recent years after a mass shooting at the iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening left 12 people dead, including one of the gunmen, and 29 others injured, among them two police officers in critical condition.
The attack unfolded around 6:45pm AEDT at the northern end of Bondi Beach, near the Bondi Park playground, where a large crowd had gathered for a Jewish community celebration titled “Chanukah by the Sea.” Authorities say thousands of people were attending the event when two men dressed in black opened fire from a nearby footbridge, spraying bullets into the crowd.
“Absolute hell on Earth”
Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as the shooting continued for nearly 10 minutes. One eyewitness told ABC News the attackers “mowed down” people gathered in the park, calling the moment “absolute hell on Earth.”
Footage from the scene shows a dramatic and widely praised act of bravery: a civilian confronting and disarming one of the gunmen. NSW Premier Chris Minns described the moment as “one of the most unbelievable scenes” he had ever witnessed, crediting the man with saving countless lives.
Casualties and emergency response
NSW Police confirmed that 12 people were killed, including one of the two attackers. The second gunman is now in police custody, though his medical condition has not been disclosed.
Of the 29 injured, two police officers are described as being in a serious to critical condition and are undergoing surgery. Victims were rushed to hospitals across Sydney, including St Vincent’s, Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, and Westmead hospitals.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) was also located along Campbell Parade, prompting bomb squad intervention and the continued closure of Bondi Beach.
Terrorism declared
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon formally declared the incident a terrorist attack, confirming it was a targeted assault on the Jewish community during the first day of Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights.
“This was a deliberate act of terror,” the commissioner said, urging the public to stay away from the area as investigations continue.
Suspect identified, ASIO involved
One of the attackers has been identified as Naveed Akram, a Sydney man from Bonnyrigg. His home is currently being searched by police. The head of ASIO, Mike Burgess, confirmed that one of the individuals involved was previously known to intelligence agencies, though not considered an immediate threat at the time.
Authorities are now working to determine whether others may have shared or supported the attackers’ intent.
National and international reaction
Leaders from Australia’s Jewish community said they believe the event was deliberately targeted due to its religious significance. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed deep sorrow for the victims and urged Australian authorities to act decisively against what he described as a growing wave of antisemitism.
As Sydney mourns, flags remain lowered and security has been heightened across the city, particularly around religious and community gatherings.
